Digital School of Distinction Award

The Digital School of Distinction Award was launched by Minister Ruairí Quinn in September 2013. It promotes excellence in the use of technology in the field of education and supports those involved in those efforts.

Scoil Mhuire na mBráithre, CBS Primary, Clounalour was the first school in Kerry to be awarded the Digital School of Distinction Award in 2013.

Jerry Kennelly from Tweak.com presented the Digital School of Distinction Award in CBS Primary, Clounalour in February, 2014.

Over recent years we have invested heavily in technology and this award is recognition of all the work being done, in the areas of professional development, communication, recording attendance and managing the school library system.We have embraced technology here in CBS.You can follow us on Twitter or on Facebook and every class has their own blog on www.cbsprimarytralee.com.

The Digital Schools of Distinction Award is a flagship programme to promote and acknowledge best practice in the use of ICT.It recognises primary schools who deliver the best educational experience of their pupils through information and computer technology.The award is promoted by the Department of Education and Skills and has been sponsored by Microsoft and Hewlett Packard.

The benefits of becoming a Digital school of Distinction include access to international resources for teaching and learning, free hardware and software, technical support and opportunities for collaboration.

To achieve the Digital Schools of Distinction Award ( www.digitalschools.ie ) , CBS Primary, Tralee had to fulfil indentified criteria within five areas – Leadership and Vision, ICT integration in the curriculum, School ICT culture, Continuing Professional Development and Resources and infrastructure.

Teachers and pupils are using technology in a wide variety of ways within the school.Each class has an interactive whiteboard with access to the internet which opens up a wealth of resources and applications.In addition, an extensive range of software programmes is available in the computer lab for the children to use and develop their ICT skills.Each class attends the computer lab weekly.We also have a class set of iPads which each child gets to use one a week.

This award is great for the school but more importantly it is an investment in the future of our pupils as technology becomes more and more an integral part of ordinary life.